FLIBS: the 7 largest yachts going to Fort Lauderdale

Port Vauban in Antibes is shining a spotlight on its major redevelopment and unique long-term berth acquisition opportunities through a newly released promotional film.The French Riviera has long been a focal point of the yachting community in the Mediterranean, if not the world, and Antibes – located centrally between luxurious Monaco and festive St Tropez – is the beating heart of yachting on the French Riviera. One of the oldest port towns in Europe, Antibes can trace its roots back to before the Roman Empire, and it has held a position of nautical significance for millennia. With such history and heritage comes an unmistakeable cachet regarding the ownership of berths in this region.Being Europe’s largest leisure port, Antibes’ Port Vauban is now setting out its store as the future of yachting in the Mediterranean, illustrated through a newly released promotional film. Thanks to the redevelopment plans of Vauban 21, which recently acquired the prestigious Port Vauban operation, a unique new opportunity in the region to acquire long-term berths of up to 23 years’ duration is available to yacht owners of vessels from several metres up to over 170 metres.Port Vauban is a perennially popular location in which to base a yacht, offering convenience to yacht owners, guests and charterers, as well as captains and crew. Unlike the facilities available at other popular marinas on the Riviera, Port Vauban’s centrally located helipad provides instant access to the region’s key spots. It is just a two-minute flight to Nice Airport, delivering expedient international travel for yacht owners and guests.The port is a short car transfer or walk to some of the Riviera’s most celebrated and coveted social spots, from the quaint local restaurants of Antibes Old Town to the charming and historic Belle Rive Hotel to the high-society hangout of the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc.Port Vauban’s new promotional film also highlights the modernisation and redevelopment plans for the marina and its facilities, including a brand-new harbourmaster’s office with gourmet restaurants, as well as the Port Centre, which will be a hub for the local community as well as an exposition space and yachting campus. There will be a number of additional state-of-the-art security measures implemented across the site in the coming months, and guests will be given access to a fleet of golf carts to improve mobility around Port Vauban and the town.Antibes is a longstanding service hub for yachting companies and a convenient location for crew operations when not in guest mode. In addition to being easy to access from across Europe, Port Vauban is a year-round location for maintenance and operations. To bolster crew motivation, reduce turnover and a promote healthy lifestyle, a programme of activities targeted at crew will operate throughout the year, including the winter season.As one of the only marinas offering long-term contracts in the region, Port Vauban’s offering is truly unique for the French Riviera. Some 800 berths are now available to acquire through new right-of-use contracts of up to 23-years’ duration, including 17 long-term berths for sale between 60 and 100-plus metres (two having just been sold).Alongside the winter crew program, Port Vauban is now offering new winter berthing packages designed to deliver convenience and practicality to superyachts of 40 to 170 metres throughout the low season, from November to the end of April. This includes shorter minimum booking periods, the ability to carry out winter maintenance onsite (including provision of space for a container on the dock adjacent to the yacht) and the cheapest consumable rates in the Mediterranean.“We are excited to present our new offering at Port Vauban through this appealing promotional film. With limited availability of long-term berths between St Tropez and Monaco, and a redevelopment plan that will make our facilities unmatched in the region, we are certain that Port Vauban is the future of yachting not just on the French Riviera but for the whole of the Mediterranean,” said Eric de Saintdo, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer.Port Vauban is Europe’s leading marina in terms of volume, with 1,642 berths including 19 superyacht slips along the renowned IYCA, also known as “Billionaires’ Quay”. The port is conveniently located in the heart of the French Riviera, between Monaco and St Tropez and a short distance by water or road from Cannes, giving it an ideal position to be the capital of yachting in the Mediterranean.With deep-water access, the IYCA’s berths are available for vessels from 60 to 170 metres in length, with a low-tide draft of seven metres across the entire basin. All berths on the IYCA are equipped with appropriate shore power for large superyachts and a conveniently located helipad is available for guests of vessels on the quay. The IYCA is ISPS Code compliant and has restricted access with 24/7 security surveillance.Within Port Vauban there is a fuelling station next to the central capitainerie, and all yachts in the port are provided with high-speed broadband internet access as well as shore power and free pump-out of black and grey water. The port is currently monitored by 20 CCTV units, with plans for an additional 165 cameras to be installed, and there is onsite security covering the entire port.In 2017, Port Vauban was acquired by a triparty association and is now operated as part of the Riviera Ports network, which also runs marinas in Antibes-Juan Les Pins, Cannes, Nice and Golfe Juan. Under the new ownership structure, a large-scale redevelopment project is being carried out through Vauban 21 project, which will see an investment of 135 million euros over the next 24 years. The project will comprise a complete regeneration of the port’s facilities and amenities including a new capitainerie, restaurant and yacht club. There are also plans for an expansion of Port Vauban’s refit and maintenance shipyard infrastructure as well as installation of a 2,000m2 yachting campus for training courses, seminars and conferences.The current consignment of contracts that Port Vauban Antibes has for yachts of all sizes is due to expire on 31 December 2021. Consequently, the Port Vauban team is in the process of revising its layout and signing new berth contracts, which will come into effect on 1 January 2022. The contracts will have a 24-year term maximum with guarantee of use, and are available to new as well as existing clients.Approximately 800 berths are currently for sale, including 300 for yachts from 20 to 170 metres. As one of the only ports in the region offering long-term leases of this nature, it provides owners with a unique opportunity to secure a premium berth and enjoy the best yachting location in the Mediterranean.

Gulf Craft's superyacht the Majesty 140 wins the prestigious award for 'Best Yacht Layout' at the 17th edition of the coveted World Yacht Trophies. Competing with superyachts from leading top European yacht manufacturers, the Majesty 140 made her global debut at Dubai International Boat Show this year. One of the sought-after awards in the yachting sector, the famous World Yachts Trophies is held every year during the Cannes Yachting Festival. Organized by Yachts France, the entries were judged by a panel of experts made up of highly qualified members belonging to the steering committee of the publishing network. The panel was entrusted with the task of selecting and evaluating the boats and the winners for each category.A masterpiece created by Gulf Craft’s very own Design Studio, the Majesty 140 sets new standards in on-board space and entertainment features. In a class of its own, the luxurious tri-deck superyacht boasts a Gross Tonnage of 360 tons and features 6 staterooms with the option to increase up to 7 staterooms. The elegant 140-foot superyacht's extensive glass side windows allow plenty of sunlight inside and give the guests stunning panoramic views of the seascape around. Recently, the first hull renamed as C'est La Vie, which translates as "This is Life" was delivered to her owner. The Majesty 140 is the successor of the other award winning superyacht, Majesty 135. Notis Meneloau, VP of Sales and Mahmoud Itani, Marketing and Communications Manager received the prestigious award during the glittering ceremony that took place on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Carlton Hotel, Cannes.The invitation-only night is a great bonding evening for yachting professionals, owners, shipyards and media to meet and reward the best innovations of the luxury nautical industry of last season. Over 300 guests attended this exclusive cocktail gala night comprising a prestige dinner, yacht parade, awards ceremony, fireworks and party.

Ocean Saviour is striking, aggressive and contemporary in appearance with the focus being on function and affordability to build, rather than external styling. The design is based on great experience and the pure science of naval architecture.The designers agreed that all technological advances in alternative energy technologies should be incorporated where possible, but not at the expense of the overall appeal of the design. It is planned for solar power panels and multiple small wind generators to be incorporated into powering ancillary systems.The vessel will be a world-first, self-powering 70m tri-deck clean-up vessel, purposefully engineered to locate, retrieve and recycle plastic from the ocean to preserve one of our most valuable assets for future generations.Central to its design are Manta Collector Array collection systems at the side and front of the vessel which will deploy and draw in plastics. The plastics will then be fed into an onboard conveyor, chopped finely, milled and processed through an onboard plasma gasification facility which will destroy it completely with minimal atmospheric pollution. The product of this pioneering process will then be used to fuel the vessel, making it self-powering.This compact waste destruction process was first implemented for marine use onboard the USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier, by advanced plasma processing company, PyroGenesis. The US Navy specified the system for the ship in order to have a highly compact, sailor-friendly means of destroying waste out at sea, as an aircraft carrier can be out for many months without coming to port. The team behind Ocean Saviour is currently investigating several potential partners in relation to the provision of plasma technology.<iframe width="536" height="301" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_lBhvS3r5YM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>The design team collaborating with Ocean Saviour have recommended a large-scale catamaran as the most economical and stable option on the water. The open plan lower deck will be one of the main working areas of the vessel and has been specially designed to allow ventilation with hinged storm shutters which offer protection against the weather. This entire deck is dedicated to plastic removal and industrial scale recycling. Mid-deck is home to two 12m containers which will offer research laboratory facilities or VIP accommodation options and bulk storage area, aft of the crew quarters. While the curved front windows are reflective of a superyacht in its design, the purpose is far more utilitarian as it will lessen the impact of rogue waves, green water and windage and offer maximum visibility for the crew. The wheelhouse is located on the third deck which will also house the main crew areas and helipad.

Awards record for Ferretti Group in occasion of the World Yachts Trophies 2018, the expected appointment closing the Cannes Yachting Festival that, even this year, rewarded with 6 prizes the unique Made in Italy style and the many design and technology innovations offered on board.It is a triumphant moment for the Group that, after the success that the Festival's audience paid to its fleet of wonders (25 models from 8 to 42 metres) representing the Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Riva and Custom Line brands, also receives the applause of the experts with some of the most coveted awards in the sector, in recognition of an aesthetics and innovation record that has now been proven.Here are the 6 Awards:- Ferretti Yachts 670: Best Layout Trophy, category 62 – 80 feet (18,50-24 metres);- Riva 66’ Ribelle: Best Exterior Design Trophy, category 62 – 80 feet (18,50-24 metres);- Custom Line 120’: Best Exterior Design Trophy, category 125 – 164 feet (38-50 metres)- Custom Line Navetta 42: Best Innovation Trophy, category 125 – 164 feet (38-50 metres)- Pershing 9X: Best Exterior Design Trophy, category 80 – 125 feet (24-38 metres)- Riva 110’ DolceVita: Best Interior Design Trophy, category 80 – 125 feet (24-38 metres).“Winning is good for morals and for the method, because it repays the whole Group for the work done and tells us that we are doing things in the right way - commented the Group’s CEO Alberto Galassi. - When our boats are rewarded also by a great commercial success, as it is happening, our satisfaction is double. The challenge continues: with these awards we raise more and more the bar of beauty, style and performance that ourselves will be called to overcome with the next models. But this is the beauty of the challenge and of being Ferretti Group".

The major fire that broke out at Lurssen's Bremen facility earlier this week, destroying a 100-meter plus new build, became a major story in the yachting field. The development is now set to hit the insurance sector with a group of marine insurers that could be facing a payment of up to €590 million over the fire at Lurssen.Various social media posts have been quick to point out the damaged new build, 3 decks of which at least have caught on fire, to be the 140-meter Project Sassi, which was reportedly due to be launched in coming months. The identity of the ship has so far not been confirmed.Industry reports say the insurance policy for the new build was started in October 2014, in a building risk slip led by QBE, a leading Australian insurer with a market capitalisation of over €9 billion. Yet, the 4.6% exposure QBE is understood to have in the slip, potentially equivalent to €27 million in losses, would amount to a loss of nearly 12% of its net profits for the first half of 2018.Dr Duu / Project Sassi before assemblyQBE would in fact not be the insurance company with the largest exposure in the new build, with Lancashire potentially on the hook for €70 million as a 9.4% slip stakeholder. RSA, Atrium and Beazly could also each have to payout between €40m - €45m.The policy, which could now have the largest maritime insurance payout since the sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, is understood to be designed to cover the vessel as well as the related property and construction materials used to build it through to the final delivery.This large insurance payout threat comes at a difficult time for marine insurance providers, which has been prone to a large number of changes and consolidation in recent years. Less than 20% of the yachting premiums written by syndicates turned a profit between 2011 and 2017 according to Re-Insurance, leading to many insurers stepping away from the maritime market.Photos via Instagram and DrDuu